Tank sampler



Aug. 18, 1931. w. P. ARNOLD, JR

TANK SAMPLER Filed Oct. 23, 1929 INVENTOR ////am fi/lr yd/a k/r.

ATTORNEYS v I Patented Aug. 18,1931

PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM P. ARNOLD, JR., OF HOUSTON,

TEXAS, ASSIGNOB TO SINCLAIR REFINING COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF MAINE TANK SAMPLER Application filed October 23, 1929. Serial No. 401,933.-

This invention provides an improved apparatus for taking samples of liquids from tanks maintained under superatmospheric pressure. This apparatus is of special value and application in connection with the handling and storing of petroleum oils but, as will be apparent, it is of more general application. The necessity for minimizing loss of the 5 more volatile portions of petroleum oils from storage tanks through breathmg of the tanks has caused the general adoption of closed tanks connected to a pressure bag or balloon for the maintenance of an approx imately constant pressure somewhat above atmospheric pressure in the tanks for this purpose. Previous to the adoption of this type of tankage, samples were commonly taken by lowering a thief through an opening in the tank left open to the atmosphere during the taking of the sample. This common practice, of course, is not available for taking samples from tanks maintained under superatmospheric pressure. This invention provides an improved apparatus for this purpose.

In brief, the apparatus of this invention comprises a closable chamber adapted to be aflixed to the tank and having an opening adapted to register with a corresponding opening in pling container for carrying this container from within the chamber through these openings into the tank and back into this chamber by operating means arranged outslde of the chamber, a door adapted to close these openings when the carrier is within the chamber with operating means arranged outside of the chamber, and another door providing ac- 40 eess to.the chamber from outside for closing the chamber when the first mentioned door is The invention will be further described in connection with the accompanying drawings the tank, a carrier for the Sam-- which illustrate an apparatus embodying the nipple .2 defining an opening 3 into the chamber extends into a corresponding opening in the tank forming a vapor tight connection between the chamber and the interior of the tank. A carrier 4 adapted to receive and hold a sample bottle 5 is supported by a cable (3 running through a stuffing box 7 to a winch 8 outside of the chamber. The carrier 4 is proportioned and the cable 6 is positioned so that the carrier may be lowered from within the chamber 1 through the opening 3 to any required depth in the tank to which the chamber 1 is aflixed. A sliding door 9 is provided for closing the opening 3 when the carrier 4 is within the chamber 1. An operating extension 10 running through a stufiing box 11 is provided for moving the door 9 across the opening 3', and cam-clamps 12 and 13 are provided for tightly closing this door when it is in position over the opening 3. Another door 14 provided with means 15 for maintaining it tightly closed when the door 9 is open is arranged to afford access to the chamber 1.

The operation of taking'the sample from the tank with the apparatus of this invention is as follows: A sample bottle is placed in the carrier 4 through the door 14 and this door is then tightly closed. The door 9 is then opened and the carrier 4- with the sample bottle is lowered through the opening 3 into the tank to the required depth for taking the desired sample by means of the winch 8. The sample bottle containing the desired sample is then pulled back through the opening 3 and the door 9 is again tightly closed. The sample bottle containing the desired sample is-then removed from the carrier 4 through the door 14. Thus, a sampleis secured with a minimum of vapor loss and without any substantial expulsion of vapor from within the tank even though the tank be under superatmospheric pressure.

I claim:

An apparatus for taking samples of liquidsfrom tanks maintained under superatmospheric pressure comprisingla closable chamber adapted to be afiixed to t e tank and having an opening adapted to register with a corresponding opening in the tank, a carrier adapted to receive and hold a sampling container and means, operable from without said chamber, for carrying said carrier from within said chamber through said openings into the tank and back, a door, op-

erable from without said chamber, adapted to close said openings when said carrier is within said chamber and means operable from without said chamber adapted to exert mechanical pressure on said door to seal said openings when the carrier is within the chamber, and a door providing access to said chamber from without adapted to close said chamber when the first mentioned door is open.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM P. ARNOLD, J R. 

